Making Space for Women to Simply Be

In today’s world, women often find themselves caught in an exhausting cycle of expectations. The list is long and heavy: work full-time, do the shopping, keep the house clean, manage childcare, look attractive, and somehow still have enough energy left at the end of the day to meet emotional and physical expectations—including sex.

It’s a lot. Too much, really.

The problem is not with women’s capacity—because women have always proven to be resilient, resourceful, and strong—it’s with the unrealistic standards that society continues to place on them. Somewhere along the way, “having it all” turned into “doing it all.” And when “doing it all” becomes the norm, rest, peace, and joy become luxuries instead of necessities.

The truth is, no human being can thrive under constant pressure. We need balance. We need time to sit quietly without a to-do list hanging over our heads. We need space to walk outside, notice the changing seasons, or simply breathe deeply without feeling guilty for “wasting time.”

"The truth is, no human being can thrive under constant pressure."

 Yet, the cultural message women often receive is that stopping is selfish. That taking time for yourself means you’re neglecting something or someone else, but rest is not selfish—it’s essential.

When women are constantly expected to keep pushing, to stay beautiful, to be endlessly available, and to maintain a high level of energy without pause, something breaks. And it’s not just women who suffer—families and communities do too. Because a woman who is burnt out cannot give the best of herself, no matter how hard she tries.

It’s time for society to collectively step back and reconsider the weight of these expectations. We must stop glorifying overwork and endless sacrifice. We must start honoring the need for rest, quiet, and the simple joy of being.

Imagine if instead of pushing women to constantly do more, we encouraged them to do less. To breathe. To take time in nature. To let go of the idea of perfection and embrace presence. 

Because at the end of the day, women are not machines. They are whole beings with hearts, bodies, and spirits that deserve nourishment, care, and rest. And the more we normalize this truth, the healthier our society will be.